SPECIALIST & RARE VARIETY OPEN SHOW - 2015
reported by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Show Organiser

 The 27^th Specialist & Rare Variety Open Show was another success with a great, relaxed atmosphere among exhibitors and visitors. The total entry was 526 from 40 exhibitors of which 444 birds were benched. The added attraction this year, apart from the coloured ceramic beakers for all best of colour winners, was the introduction of a class for the Colour Budgerigars of which 21 were entered. This class created quite an interest among some fanciers. It was always a pleasure to see our friend Carlos Ramôa from Portugal attending the show as he always does.

As always, the show committee extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to the following sponsors; Brown & Hutt (50% cost of all the open rosettes for the show); Geoff Capes (cost of all the ceramic awards to the judges and Best of Colours); Mick Anzara, Ian Brickwood, Sue & Rod Clarke, Jan Hill, Grant Findlay & Nick Flavell and Dave & Linda Rafis for their financial sponsorship. Warren Wilson & BRASEA donated major rosettes for all the BOC winners. Frank & Vanessa Barnes and Swindon BS donated a Team show cage for the raffle. The show also received sponsorship in the form of bags of seed & products from Norman & June Cox, Johnson & Jeff Ltd, Country Wide Seed and Gren & Pat Norris. Donated birds for the raffle came from Alan & Gina Adams, Ghalib & Janice Al-Nasser, Geoff Capes, Neville & Jenny East, Arnold Stevens and Trevor & Adrian Terheege to whom the show committee extends its sincere thanks.

Our Guest of Honour this year to present the 45 trophies was none other than The Budgerigar Society President, Beverley Hutt.

To move away from the threat of clashing with the F1 Silverstone Race Championship the show will move to week 25 as from next year on 25^th & 26^th June at the same venue in Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire.

CRESTS OF QUALITY

There was a large drop in the crested entry to 31 for Brian Reese to judge. The adult C.C. and Best Crest in Show went to the new beginner Sean Murray who benched an outstanding Circular Light Green hen sporting a good crest and of good size and condition. Sue & Rod Clarke occupied second place with a quality Half Circular Skyblue cock. The Mick Widdowson & Brian Wilson partnership was third with a Tufted Skyblue cock.

Seam Murray - Best Crest in Show

Mick Anzara won the young bird section with a Full Circular Grey cock staged in good condition. This was followed by Sean Murray’s Tufted Cinnamon Light Green hen. David & Linda Rafis were third with a Full Circular Opaline Grey Green cock.

Section            Any Age                     Young Bird

Champion       S & R Clarke              D & L Rafis

Intermediate   R. Brokenshire            M. Anzara

Novice            N/E                            N/E                 

Beginner         S. Murray                  S. Murray

Junior              N/E                           O. Williams